# iPad Mini 7 Omitted a Key iPadOS Feature, Leaving Apple with No Explanation
This past week, Apple unveiled the **iPad mini 7**, a device that numerous individuals have been anticipating. Featuring **8GB of RAM**, the robust **A17 Pro chip**, and compatibility with **Apple Intelligence**, the iPad mini 7 is becoming the iPad mini that many professional users have desired. Nevertheless, in spite of these notable enhancements, the iPad mini 7 is devoid of a critical feature that has become essential for multitasking on iPads: **Stage Manager**.
## What is Stage Manager?
Stage Manager debuted with **iPadOS 16** as a multitasking tool aimed at improving productivity on iPads. It empowers users to resize windows, transition between apps more effectively, and even connect to external displays for a more desktop-like experience. Initially, this feature was reserved for iPads equipped with **M-series chips** and no less than **8GB of RAM**. Over time, Apple extended Stage Manager to earlier iPad Pro models featuring the **A12X** and **A12Z** chips, as well as iPads that have **6GB of RAM**.
Considering that the iPad mini 7 satisfies the hardware criteria—sporting 8GB of RAM and the A17 Pro chip—it raises questions as to why this feature is not included.
## Why Doesn’t the iPad Mini 7 Include Stage Manager?
Apple has not offered an official clarification as to why the iPad mini 7 lacks Stage Manager, in spite of its formidable specifications. One potential explanation could be the **8.3-inch display** of the iPad mini, which might not offer an optimal experience for multitasking across multiple windows. However, this argument appears weak, as the **Split Screen** functionality has been available on the iPad mini for quite some time, and Stage Manager could conceivably function similarly.
Another theory is that Apple might be reserving Stage Manager for larger iPads to delineate between its product categories. The iPad mini, with its more compact design, is frequently perceived as a more portable, casual gadget, while the iPad Pro and iPad Air are promoted as more productivity-oriented devices.
## A Potential Workaround?
Some technology aficionados, like **Filipe Espósito** from **9to5Mac**, have proposed a possible workaround: Apple could activate Stage Manager when the iPad mini is linked to an **external display**. This would enable users to leverage the feature when seeking a more desktop-like setup while still enjoying the convenience of the iPad mini in transit.
This approach could harmonize the iPad mini’s compact nature with the demand for enhanced multitasking features, rendering it a more adaptable device for those who desire both mobility and performance.
## Will Apple Introduce Stage Manager in a Future Update?
As the iPad mini 7 is anticipated to launch shortly, it remains uncertain whether Apple will reassess its stance and incorporate Stage Manager in a subsequent **iPadOS update**. Given the capabilities of the device, it is indeed plausible that Apple could activate the feature through a software update, particularly if there is substantial demand from users.
For the time being, iPad mini 7 users will have to manage without Stage Manager, yet discussions surrounding this absent feature are far from settled. As Apple continues to enhance iPadOS, there is optimism that the iPad mini 7 might eventually receive this invaluable multitasking capability.
## Conclusion
The iPad mini 7 marks a notable advancement over its predecessor, with its A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM establishing it as a formidable device in a compact design. Nevertheless, the lack of Stage Manager is an intriguing oversight, particularly when considering the device’s remarkable specifications. Whether Apple will rectify this in a future update is still unknown, but for now, users must await the possibility of this feature being integrated into the iPad mini series.
